I tested Sigma’s f/1.8 zoom for APS-C cameras for a month – it’s a prime lens killer with one drawback

Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC | Artwork: One-minute assessment

Solid your thoughts again to 2013 and Sigma had simply introduced out its 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM | Artwork lens – the world’s first zoom with a quick, fixed f/1.8 aperture – and was set to revolutionize the pictures trade.

Over a decade since that lens pushed the boundaries of what a zoom lens may do, the world’s largest unbiased lens producer has gone one higher with the Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC | Artwork, which like its predecessor boasts a continuing and vivid f/1.8 aperture and guarantees to ship distinctive picture high quality similar to a main, however with an expanded zoom vary, all whereas being greater than 30% lighter than its predecessor.

The lens is particularly designed for mirrorless cameras with an APS-C sensor and is obtainable in L-mount, Sony E, Fujifilm X, and Canon RF variations. I’ve spent a month testing an E-mount model of the lens mounted on a Sony A6700, to see if this optic actually can do the job at the very least three primes.

The TLDR is that it completely can, and I completely loved hitting the streets to make use of it for all kinds of pictures, from metropolis pictures to portraits, shallow-depth-of-field still-life pictures, and even low-light scenes like site visitors trails and stars.

Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC Artwork at Amazon for $919

Whereas the 17-40mm f/1.8 DC | Artwork builds on its predecessor in just about each method, it is not free from faults. It is an APS-C lens with a smaller imaging circle, so it is much less future-proof should you improve to a full-frame digicam later down the highway. It is also very costly, and prices considerably greater than its predecessor did again in 2013.

If cash isn’t any restrict, and also you like to shoot at a variety of wide-angle focal lengths whereas additionally having the flexibility of a quick f/1.8 aperture, that is the lens for you, offering you shoot on an APS-C mirrorless physique. Nevertheless, should you’re on a stricter finances, and like smaller lenses and do not thoughts switching between them, then you might be higher off with one or two cheaper prime lenses as a substitute – offered you are not capturing weddings and different occasions the place you will have much less time to swap your optics over.

Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC | Artwork: Worth and availability

Priced at $919 / £779 / AU$1,650Lens hood includedAnnounced in July 2025

The Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC Artwork prices $919 / £779 / AU$1,650. That’s greater than Sigma’s authentic 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Artwork, which retailed for $799 / £699 (round AU$1,150) at launch. Nevertheless, this increased value is to be anticipated given greater than a decade of inflation since then, and tariff will increase have possible impacted US pricing too. Regardless, I believe the additional cash is justified within the US and UK by the suite of upgrades that include the brand new and improved model.

It’s troublesome to say precisely who this lens is for, as I personally discovered it a bit irritating with it both being not extensive sufficient or not telephoto sufficient for my capturing type, although as somebody who recurrently likes to shoot with 35mm prime lenses, there have been instances when the additional versatility from its small zoom vary was welcome. It’s a bit like a souped-up package lens, however one which prices considerably extra.

When you’re on a tighter finances, and never fussed about that extensive f/1.8 aperture, otherwise you’re searching for one thing a bit extra moveable in your on a regular basis carry lens, then the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Modern can be a better option. Equally, should you don’t need a zoom and easily need a smaller prime lens there are alternatives just like the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM which might be lighter, smaller and just a little bit cheaper, too. So it actually comes all the way down to what you wish to use the lens for.

Nevertheless, for occasions and wedding ceremony photographers capturing with APS-C our bodies I can see this lens being a sport changer, giving these photographers further focal size choices and a quick f/1.8 aperture when they could not have the time to vary lenses.

Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC | Artwork: Specs

Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC | Artwork: Design

Some extent of weather-sealing, normally saved for extra premium Artwork lensesCombines a flexible zoom vary with a quick f/1.8 most aperture Switches on the lens barrel to manage AF/MF and iris ring functionsMuch longer than most prime lenses with a size of 115.9mm

The Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC Artwork lens improves on its predecessor in nearly each method. Not solely is it 34% lighter, tipping the scales at 18.8oz / 535g, it’s additionally 6.5% leaner in diameter and 4.2% shorter in size. Regardless of being a skinnier and lighter mannequin it manages to pack in a 2.35x optical zoom, with a extra expansive focal vary of 17-40mm, whereas the unique 18-35mm fell simply shy of 2x optical zoom, so the general zoom vary has been expanded by roughly 18%.

As within the 18-35mm f/1.8 the optical design contains 17 parts, however there’s one fewer aspherical and one fewer SLD (Particular Low Dispersion) parts this time round, which means there’s a complete of three aspherical and 4 SLD parts contained in the barrel.

The aperture has been upgraded nevertheless, and as a substitute of the outdated nine-bladed design, we now have a extra premium 11-bladed design, which ought to ship better-rounded bokeh.

The rear mount is brass and likewise climate sealed, confirming the mud and splash-proof credentials of the optic. The lens is obtainable to suit L-mount, Sony E, Fujifilm X and Canon RF, and factoring within the 1.5x crop issue of APS-C sensors the lens will behave way more like a 25.5-60mm, apart from Canon cameras, which have a 1.6x sensor crop and with which the lens shall be have a barely tighter perspective at 27.2-64mm.

On the surface of the lens barrel are the zoom and focus rings, that are an honest measurement and have a knurled rubber end, making them very grippy and comfy to make use of. As a result of this new lens is designed for contemporary mirrorless cameras it has an digital fly-by-wire focus ring moderately than a mechanical one, and this additionally means we’ve misplaced the main focus distance window on the highest. Each rings flip easily and are simple to function.

A 3rd ‘iris’ ring sits closest to the lens mount and is for controlling the aperture. This additionally has a lock to maintain it securely within the ‘A’ place should you favor to not use it, and there’s additionally a swap to allow or disengage the clicking – videographers will possible favor the smoother declicked possibility when recording footage. It’s additionally value noting that on the Canon RF model that is as a substitute a Management ring which could be assigned customized capabilities for all kinds of settings, together with however not restricted to aperture.